Ive got a design and Im ready to lay track. How do go from the computer screen to the roadbed?
The best way I found is to print out the layout (or portions) full scale (you’ll need to register for this). You can adjust the orientation of the print grid so the printout will line up with the tracks. If you have cut-sheet printer (like a laser or inkjet) set the Ignore Page Margins toggle on the print dialog. Normally there is an unprintable margin around the edge of the page and XTrkCad only prints on the printable area, which means you would have to trim or overlay the pages. Setting the Ignore Page Magrins toggle makes XTrkCad ignore this margin so you can just abut the paper. Also, turn on Print Roadbed Outline and set your roadbed width. If you have a continous form printer (like a dot matrix) you can print a series of pages to form a continuous strip as long as you need. I use an old wide carriage printer that was being thrown out and can print 8′ by 13.2″ strips. Accuracy is not critical, 9-pin will do fine. You may need to experiment with setting the Landscape/Portrait mode
